Recently, concerns arose over the design of the No. 4 on Germany’s national team shirts. It was noted that the number ’44’ bore a resemblance to the symbol used by Nazi ‘SS’ units. The German Football Association (DFB) quickly responded to these concerns and announced that they would be changing the design.
The DFB stated that they thoroughly checked all numbers from 0-9 before submitting the final designs to UEFA for review. Despite ensuring that there were no connections to Nazi symbolism during the creation process, they took the feedback seriously and decided to address the issue promptly.
As the official supplier of the DFB’s jerseys, Adidas took responsibility for the design of the names and numbers on the shirts. In response to the concerns raised, Adidas made the decision to remove the number 44 from their customization options. The company emphasized its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and opposition to xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence, and hatred.
Adidas spokesperson Oliver Brüggen emphasized that the company strongly rejects any insinuations that the design was intentional. He reiterated Adidas’ stance against divisive and exclusionary views, highlighting the global nature of the company’s workforce and values. The stylized SS symbol in question is currently banned in Germany, further reinforcing the importance of addressing the concerns raised.
The swift action taken by the DFB and Adidas in response to the concerns raised regarding the Nazi symbolism in the design of Germany’s national team shirts exemplifies the commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the rejection of hate symbols. By acknowledging the issue and making the necessary changes, both organizations are sending a clear message that such symbolism has no place in modern society. It serves as a reminder of the importance of historical awareness and sensitivity in design choices, even on seemingly trivial aspects such as sports uniforms.